Marianne's Response

pole beans support

I’ve planted a bunch of pole beans and built teepees for support. The plants are growing over the top of the poles. Can I snip off the top of the beans to encourage sideways growth or do I need to use taller poles. The poles I used are 5′ and any taller would present a problem in harvesting. I’d need a stool or ladder…not something I want to do. Thanks for your help. Just discovered your website and look forward to exploring. I’ve been gardening for years and really enjoy growing my veggies. I have 2 raised beds. Pictures to follow!

Posted by Judith Murphy on July 12, 2019

Marianne's Response

Welcome to the PlantersPlace site and your red poppy photo is beautiful. To answer your question, yes you can snip off the tops of the bean plants and you may not get many extra side shoots but you be able to harvest the lower crop easier. The harvest may also be earlier as all the energy will go into the lower blooms. Enjoy your bean plucking summer and Keep Growing, Marianne Binetti

    Search the Ask the Gardening Expert library

    Looking for a quick resolution to your problem? Marianne has answered thousands of gardening questions. One may be similar to yours. Try searching our library to get the answer you need — fast!

    My Topics

    View questions you submitted to Marianne in the past

    VIEW MY QUESTIONS